Who was Saint Anthony of Padua?
Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and was baptized Fernando. He became a priest and loved to study the Bible. One day he saw the bodies of Franciscan friars who had given their lives for Jesus in Morocco, and he decided to become a Franciscan too, taking the name Anthony.
He sailed to Africa to preach, but he fell sick, and a storm carried his ship to Italy. There he lived quietly, until one day he was asked to preach without any time to prepare. His words were so beautiful that everyone was amazed, and soon he was preaching all over Italy and France.
An old story says that once, when people would not listen, Anthony went to the shore and preached to the fish, and the fish lifted their heads out of the water to listen. Another story says a young man borrowed his book of psalms without asking, then brought it back after Anthony prayed. That is why people ask his help when something is lost.
When is Saint Anthony of Padua’s feast day?
Saint Anthony of Padua’s feast day is June 13. It’s the day he died near Padua, in 1231. Many parishes bless bread that day to share with the poor, called Saint Anthony’s bread.
Clara tells the whole story at bedtime, in the Little Prayer Stories app.Get the app →
